The
National Institute of Standards
and Technology (NIST), an agency of the U.S. Department of Commerce, takes an active
role in promoting science and technology education throughout
the Gaithersburg, Md., community. Although NIST's mission is to promote U.S. innovation and industrial competitiveness by advancing measurement science, standards, and technology in ways that enhance economic security and improve our quality of life, the
institute's employees participate in many educational activities
in conjunction with local schools both public and private
as well as higher education institutions.
To aid
the educational community in locating information about
NIST resources, the agency has established an Education
Clearinghouse, a convenient centralized source of information
about the educational activities at the NIST Gaithersburg
site. Callers are referred to the appropriate contact for
each activity by the Clearinghouse Coordinator.
For
information on any of the activities listed below, contact
the Clearinghouse Coordinator, Barbara
Cuddington, at (301) 975-3628.
NIST-Sponsored
or Hosted Programs
NIST
Student Tours
NIST
Boulder Educational Activities
4-H
Adventure in Science, Inc.
This hands-on science program for children ages eight through
15 years consists of classes in physics, chemistry, computers,
biology, astronomy, and other disciplines taught by scientists
and engineers. Classes meet for two hours on Saturday mornings
from October through March at NIST, Bechtel, COMSAT, and
the National Institutes of Health; and Sunday mornings at
the Charles E. Smith Jewish Day School.
Adopt-A-School Program
The Adopt-A-School Program is a partnership between NIST and Montgomery County Public Schools to promote academic excellence and a future world-class workforce that reflects the rich diversity of our nation.
Measurement
Science Award for High School Students' Science Fair Projects
(Sigma Xi)
This
award is given to senior high school students who have entered
the Montgomery Area Science Fair or the Frederick County
Science Fair. Students are selected on the basis of the
quality of measurement science that was applied in their
science fair project. NIST judges look for experimental
design, unbiased measurement methods, replication of the
measurements, and statistical analysis of the data.
NIST Summer Institute for Middle School Teachers
A successful collaboration between NIST and MCPS has been implemented with the completion of the pilot NIST Summer Institute for Middle School Teachers held at NIST from July 23 – August 3, 2007. Led entirely by NIST scientists, the Institute was an innovative combination of hands-on activities, lectures, tours, and the shadowing of scientists in the laboratory, designed to coordinate with the middle school curriculum. The middle school teachers were provided with resources and instructional tools for teaching math and science, with an emphasis on measurement science as used at NIST. Return visits of the teacher participants and a few of their students will occur during the upcoming school year, with efforts focused on additional lessons and collaborative enrichment.
Science:
Get Psyched!
NIST hosts this event once a year for 300 Girl Scouts from
the local area. The girls are divided into small groups
and visit several rooms where lively, hands-on science demonstrations
are presented. The girls also have the opportunity in a
panel discussion to ask female scientists questions about
why they chose science and what it is like to be a scientist.
Student
Employment
NIST has student employment opportunities for undergraduate
and graduate students as well as volunteer programs for
students in high school and above.
SURFing
the Physics, Materials Science and Engineering, Manufacturing
Engineering, Electronics and Electrical Engineering, Chemical
Science and Technology, Information Technology, and Building
and Fire Research Labs
These Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship Programs
are part of the NSF Research Experiences for Undergraduates
(REU) program. Undergraduate students interested in pursuing
graduate degrees in physics, materials science, engineering,
computer science, chemistry, applied math, or related areas
come to NIST for a 12-week summer honors-academy program
involving them in hands-on research.
Take
Our Daughters and Sons to Work Day
This one-day annual activity, sponsored by NIST's Office
of Administration with the assistance of NIST's Committee
for Women, is open to daughters and sons (ages nine through
16) of NIST employees. Science demonstrations, hands-on
experiments, and a panel discussion are included in the
day's activities.
Yearly
Teacher Award (Sigma Xi)
This award is presented by the NIST Sigma Xi chapter to
a teacher in Montgomery County Public Schools.
College
Tours
These guided class tours consist of
visits to three NIST labs. The tours are geared toward
the students' area of study, such as engineering, physical
science,
mathematics, and computer science. Each tour can accommodate
up to 24 students.
9th-12th
Grade Tours
These guided two-hour tours of NIST consist of visits to
three labs. The tours are geared toward the students' area
of study or interest. Each tour can accommodate up to 24
students.
Tour
of NIST's Center for Neutron Research for High School Science
Classes
NIST's
Center for Neutron Research (NCNR) offers a special tour
of its facilities specifically tailored for high school
science classes. Groups of up to 40 can be accommodated
for the introductory lecture and tour that take about two
hours. The emphasis is on how neutrons are used to probe
the sub-microscopic structures and molecular motions that
determine the properties of materials ranging from concentrate
to cell membranes.
CARE
Educational Outreach Program
PREP
Student Fellowship Program
SURF
NIST Boulder
SURF NIST Boulder provides opportunities for college
undergraduates to engage in research in all aspects of technology
and measurement science. The principal goal of the SURF
program is to motivate students to pursue PhD programs in
preparation for careers in research and development.
